zDNC Public Safety

Neighbors fear their right to serenity will be quashed

Neighborhoods around downtown Denver are casting a nervous eye as protesters, activists and exhibitors finalize plans for events in city parks, some for days at a time, while the Democratic convention is in town.

Parking, sanitation and safety are high on the list for neighbors in areas from Jefferson to Congress parks. Denver parks ringing the Pepsi Center are booked for the convention by anti-war demonstrators, political TV-watching parties, anti-abortion prayer leaders and health- care activists.

In addition to the thousands of politicians, delegates and media members descending on Denver for the actual convention, there are thousands more with plans to hit 5,280 feet to protest, gather and chant for all sorts of reasons.

Events run the gamut

At downtown parks, event hosts are as varied as Artocracy and A Prayer for Change and include such activities as a Celebration of Democracy by Recreate 68, Tent State University's Peace Barracks Assembly, This is What Democracy Looks Like by Students for Peace and Justice, prayer booths offered by Orchard Road Christian Center and peace mediations.

"Everything is still a little vague, and that is one of the issues," said Dave Webster, who lives a block from City Park and plans to stay out of the park that week, even though he usually walks over for the farmers market.

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Other events around the DNC include the Sustainable Living Road Show at Hirshorn Park, a Rally for Climate Leadership by the League of Conservation Voters at Lincoln Park, a Youth 4 Peace Concert at the Skate Park and an Operation Save America anti-abortion event at Martin Luther King Park.

The largest gathering and of most concern to neighborhoods across Denver is Tent State University, slated for City Park. The estimated size of the rally — 20,000 participants — and the fact that the group requested to camp in the park worries neighbors. The city denied the camping request, and Tent State on Wednesday assured neighbors that participants would not stay in City Park after 11 p.m.

The group plans to spend the night in the free-speech zone at the Pepsi Center, although it will not be allowed to set up tents there.

Those who live near City Park are skeptical and wonder what will motivate participants to pick up and head to another location after the festivities end each day.

Neighbors met with City Councilwoman Carla Madison, Tent State organizers and city representatives this week about their concerns.

"It doesn't look like it's been worked out very well," said Pat Maley, who lives near East 22nd Avenue and Albion Street.

School's request ignored

Neighbors are nervous because the city has yet to see a written site plan, and already they feel their concerns are being brushed off. For instance, East High had asked that the concerts not begin until after 4 p.m., but the schedule has concerts beginning at midday even though organizers initially agreed to the request.

The difference, though, between Tent State and other scheduled park events is that most of those are come-and-go, one-day events versus a six-day tent event, said Roger Armstrong, interim director of Capitol Hill United Neighbors.

In City Park South, the area expected to see the most traffic when participants head downtown, many neighbors are uncertain and nervous.

Ruby Wilbur plans to take a week off work as an insurance-claims collector to stay with her cats and watch over her gardens at her home just south of the park — or leave town entirely.

"If I can figure out how to board my cats, I'll go to my son's in Colorado Springs," said Wilbur. "I just don't know what will happen."

Park-permit applications were submitted by all groups, said Jill McGranahan, spokeswoman for Denver Parks and Recreation. Permits for downtown parks were given by lottery, and others, such as City Park, were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Many neighborhood groups have met with representatives having events in their parks and with the city, said John Maslanik, president of the Downtown Denver Residents Organization.

The concern downtown is more about access and traffic for residents who have had to register their cars to enter the area.

"Most downtown residents are positive about the convention," Maslanik said.

In Congress Park, the Minutemen Civil Defense is cohosting a day-long rally Aug. 25 with Right March.

Congress Park Neighbors met with the Minutemen, and the only concerns are parking issues and whether counterprotesters show up, said Brent Hladky, president of Congress Park Neighbors.

What has residents there more concerned is the possible spillover from Tent State. "Let's assume they actually disperse people — where do they go?" Hladky asked.

"I don't think people in the neighborhood should worry," Tent State organizer Adam Jung said. "The city has done an excellent job of painting activists as different and scary, but activists are regular people. They can be your priest or someone in your family. This is just how we've chosen to take a stand."